“It’s a law in transition that we can make progressive, until we eventually make it into a law,” he said. “They need to take consideration, and understand the new evolution, or the new characteristics of the LGBT right now. Because theirs is old-fashioned, it would be better if they look into the current situation because we are being left behind in the world.”
CIBAC party-list Rep. Eddie Villanueva, who is also an evangelist and leader of the Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide, and his son Sen. Joel Villanueva, both raised concerns about the measure, which was introduced 23 years ago by the late former Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago. Its current proponent, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, has been fighting for the bill’s passage since she was a member of the House of Representatives under the Akbayan party-list.
The Villanuevas claim the bill will introduce same-sex marriage in the country, but Hontiveros denied it saying that “this is not the bill that will grant marriage licenses.” In a separate social media post, the lady senator said the bill is meant to “solve bullying” and “enhance mental health.” Presenting statistics on SOGIE-based bullying, Hontiveros added: “If we say we are concerned about the future of our youth, then we should heed the data. The numbers tell a clear-cut story. As long as we are in denial, our children will continue to suffer the long-term consequences.”